Preservation of natural flowers.



I No Drawing.

LINNIE E. OSTRANDER, F HARBOR, OREGON.

PRESERVATION OF NATURAL FLOWERS;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LINNIE E. Os'raimnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Harbor, in the county of Curry and State of regon, have invented .certain new and useful Improvements in Preservation of Natur'al Flowers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a method for the preservation of natural flowers and my obect is to cover the natural flower with a until all of the sugar which makes the glue transparent and helps preservative which will retain the shape of the parts of the flower and prevent the destruction thereof by decay. The treated flower-is then restored to its natural colors y painting or coloring the parts thereof. To this end, I employ a quantity of glue, preferably "what is known as flake glue, which is deposited in. ered' with. water. The glue remains in this condition for substantially twelve hours or over night. After the glue has remained in the water the proper length of time, the greaterpart of thewater is drained oil, leaving only asullicient amount to thin the glue tothe consistency of cold mucilage. After the water has been drained from the glue,

the receptacle containing the glue is placed in warm water,

the usual form of double boiler being preferably used. To each quart of the preparation thus obtained, add four tablepoonfuls of granulated sugar and stir preparation. \Vhen the preparation is in this state you first add two tablcs )oonfuls of epsom salts and mix the same thoroughly, and then add a tablespoonful of tartaric acid to maintain the natural color of the flower. The preparation is then ready for use-and is to be kept at-a tepid, temperature while being used, which can be accomplished by placing the receptacle containing the prepara. tion-in warm water upon a stove, but great care must be exercised to prevent the preparation from becoming too hot,

as the delicate parts of the flower would be shriveled or destroyed if the temperature of the preparation was at too high a degree. By adding the'sugarto the glue, the flowers are given a fresh appear- H Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 1 8, 1911. Serial No. 609,423.

removing the petals a receptacle and covis absorbed by the' darker colors being or by placing the same l Patented July 4, 19 11.

fresh as possible, but .if wilted, should be restored to their natural state, as near as possible, by immersing the same in water. The flowers are then treated one at a time by grasping the stem of the flower and lid mersing the flower into the preparation. The flower is moved gently back and forth through the preparation until all parts thereof are thoroughly covered, when the flower is removed and the petals straightened out and restored to their natural shape bypassing each part hereof between the thumb and finger, the pressure of the thumb and finger being necessarily very light so as to avoid from the stem. Before engaging the thumband finger with the treated portion of the flower, however, the hand is preferably immersed in warm water, so as to prevent the preparation from adhering to the fingers, or a suitable instrument can be used if desired. slightly agitated, which will cause the excess of the preparation to leave the parts of the flower. The flower is then placed in a cold draft and is held uprightuntil the preparation has become cool. When the preparation has properly cooled, the flower is dipped into a coloring solution of alcohol and a suitable dye and held therein until the proper tint is obtained, when the flower taken out and shaken or otherwise agitated to remove the extra coloring, substance adhering to the flower. The flower is then allowed to gradually dry by suspeiuliug the same from any suitable object and after the petals have been fully treated, the the flower are treated the and then iu'n'nersed in a, green tint. a

If there is more than one color in the flower, it will be necessary to use a soft brush in applying the same as the petals colormg having a applied first.

Any suitable coloring medium may be used, such as diamond dyes or inks, or if.'preferred',- the usual form of enamel paints may be used.

After the flowers have been treated with glue and properly colored and are thoroughly dry, they a re given a coating of varnish by' immersing the flower therein.

The flower is then.

coloring substance, the i stem and leaf portions of ject upon which they are resting.

After the flowers have been treated in the manner above set forth,-they are suspended from a line or other similar object until thoroughly dry, when the flowers will be preserved substantially in their natural state,

and when properl handled will remain so for all time. It w1ll further be seen that by coloring the flowers after they have been treated, any tint or hue may be obtained, such as a black rose or any preferred color.

What I claim is: Q

1; The herein described method for the preservation of natural flowers, comprising an immersion of said flowers into a preparation of glue,'-sugar, epsom salts and tartaric.

acid.

2. The herein described'process for pres ervation of natural flowers, comprising an immersion -of the flower into the'preparation of liquid glue, sugar, epsom salts and tar taric acid, then immersing said flower in colored alcohol, and then coating said flower with colorless varnish.

3. The herein described method for the preservation of natural flowers, comprising the immersion of the flowers into a preparation of heated glue, s'ugar, epsom salts and tartaric acid, then adding coloring material to said flower, .and then coating said flower with varnish.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing. witnesses.

' Witnesses JOHN W; Os'rRANDER, GEO. W. SMITH.

LINNIE OSTBANDER, 

